David Russell

David Russell, 92, died in his home in Bowie, MD on Sunday, November 20, 2022, surrounded by family and cloaked in love. He is survived by his wife, Maxine; children, Cecily (Gary), Cynthia (Edward), and Tom (Christine); nine grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

David was born in Dedham, MA on January 23, 1930, to John L. Russell and Alice B. Russell (Safford). He was the youngest of five children. He met his wife of 67 years when he attended Berea College in Berea, Kentucky, where his older brother, Jim, was a professor. The two met in the music “listening room” (where Maxine worked) and bonded over their love of classical music, a passion that remained at the forefront of their relationship.

Married in 1955, David and Maxine remained in Kentucky after graduating from Berea, moving to Louisville where they welcomed their first child, Cecily. They moved to Lincoln, Illinois in 1957 for David’s job as a professor of English at Lincoln College, where he taught for 10 years. Their other two children, Cynthia and Tom, were born in Lincoln before the family moved to Bowie, MD in 1967. David taught mathematics at Prince George’s Community College for 27 years and lived the remainder of his life in Bowie.

David was a true Renaissance Man, with passions ranging from science and mathematics to literature, music, history, and gardening. An avid reader and playgoer, he was known among family and friends for his uncanny ability to relate a Shakespeare quote to just about any situation. He had that same uncanny ability for identifying classical music. He also recalled countless varieties of flowers and trees and species of birds in an instant. Some of his children’s and grandchildren’s fondest memories of him include searching for fossils along riverbanks, fishing, and spending time together on their annual family trip to Canaan Valley, WV.

A celebration of his life will be held at a later date.

David was loved beyond measure and will be greatly missed.